Contrary to Sam Leith’s complaints last week, commercial publishers continue to take risks, and put out great and original work
In his article last week, Sam Leith deplored the state of mainstream trade publishing, saying it was “getting dumber by the day”, in contrast to the university presses which are apparently enjoying a “golden age”.
I hate to criticise Leith, because he chooses to publish his serious, lively and illuminating non-fiction with Profile Books, of which I am the managing director. I am also his editor, and like any good editor, when one of my authors is wrong, I must correct his facts.
First, I admit it: all publishers produce some stinkers. That is because we take risks and we make mistakes. We survive, even thrive, if we get it right often enough. But just like theatres and film studios, we end up backing both winners and losers. And the bad books, the poorly-judged ideas, the authors who aren’t up to it, are – or should be – quickly forgotten, because their words will never change the world or win over readers.
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I hate to criticise Leith, because he chooses to publish his serious, lively and illuminating non-fiction with Profile Books, of which I am the managing director. I am also his editor, and like any good editor, when one of my authors is wrong, I must correct his facts.
First, I admit it: all publishers produce some stinkers. That is because we take risks and we make mistakes. We survive, even thrive, if we get it right often enough. But just like theatres and film studios, we end up backing both winners and losers. And the bad books, the poorly-judged ideas, the authors who aren’t up to it, are – or should be – quickly forgotten, because their words will never change the world or win over readers.
More
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